Chapter 5
920 Words
The Court of Light's silver veined white stone floors glossy surface reminded me that I had probably ignored too many undergarments when I had dressed that morning. Thank goodness Fiena had insisted on the basics, and any adventurous gazes would find nothing too remarkable to comment upon.
"I hate these floors," I muttered to Akyran.
He leaned over my shoulder and then met my gaze with a grin. "I'm rather partial to them," he commented mildly, unembarrassed by his lechery. "You missed a couple of layers dressing today, Ecaeris."
"Akyran," I muttered. "Stupid petticoats."
"Hmmm," he arched his brows. "I doubt the men of the court will complain."
As we moved through the halls into the audience chamber, he was polite enough to stay on the side where the reflection most exposed me. It was not a full moon, when audiences were held, so the chamber was organised informally, with clusters of seating, and fools and bards playing. Laughter rang out from a card game played festively by a group of younger courtiers.
Everything was too white and pastel for my tastes, the gossamer curtains that billowed in the doorways and the courtier's layers of sheer seemed to combine into a room of white and spun sugar, cloying, sweet, and entirely too fabricated. How could anyone stay clean enough an entire day to not mar the paleness of their clothing, or not manage to tear those delicate layers? I wondered.
The Queen Leamoira reclined amongst her courtiers, listening to an epic poem recital by two young lovers who gazed at each other as if breath began on the other's lips. She spotted us as we entered and exclaimed, rising to her feet in a whisper of the finest fabrics.
"Akyran and Ecaeris," she flowed forth. I curtseyed and then breathed in her perfume of Fae rose harvested by moonlight as she embraced him and then me. "How lovely to see you both."
"Mother," Akyran replied stiffly. He was angry with her I knew from his many complaints when we were alone. Since Rivyn's successful return from his quest with a wife and a child on the way, she had been encouraging Akyran's twin to take on more responsibility for the Court of Light, tempering Akyran's judgements publicly, which he found frustrating and humiliating. He felt he had lost his brother, his ally and friend, to Siorin, who had become Rivyn's obsession. "We thought we might organise a round of chovgan on the lawn."
"Oh, the poor grass," Leamoira smiled. "But it will be a fine entertainment. I'll organise for tables to be moved onto the terrace nearby."
"Wonderful," he was short with it, indifferent as to whether there was an audience or not. He did not play for the applause, but for the competition. "Where is father hiding?"
"Oh, probably in some small room filled with large men, leaning over maps and drinking spirits," she waved a hand airily. "He likes to talk of war, but not to commit to it."
"Mmm," Akyran's eyes were distant with thought. As long as King Treyvin did not commit to war, I could almost hear him thinking. His next question confirmed my suspicion. "And Rivyn?" Akyran's brother was pushing for Fae intervention in the war and had already begun the process by creating Intuin Desparen for Diandreliera – a sword no one was entirely sure the abilities of.
I suspected that Rivyn had, in fact, done no more than glamour a random blade, to make it seem magical. I had never heard of a truly magical blade being made overnight, nor a mage not keen to boast of the wonderful thing he had created. All Rivyn would say on the matter was that it would only work for Diandreliera's line, and it's purpose would be revealed in time.
"He's easier found," she replied with a mischievous smile. "Just keep an ear out for your sister-in-law and watch for amore in the hallways."
"Mother," Akyran muttered, flushing, and shooting me a look under his lashes. I met his gaze and raised my eyebrows. What, did he expect me to feign innocence or fluster like a lady of the court? "It's hardly decorous to speak of."
"He married a half-siren," she dismissed his reprimand. "It's hardly a secret around this court what the side effects are. An impossible to keep secret, the way it works."
"But still."
"Oh, Akyran," she sighed and cupped his chin in her hands. "So prudish for someone who has bedded half the ladies of both courts."
"Mother!" He shot me another look as the colour rose hectic in his cheeks.
She laughed and released him. "Oh, Ecaeris is hardly unaware of your proclivities, my son," she scolded lightly. "It's a bit late to think to protect her from them."
He glowered and muttered something under his breath. "Come on, Ecaeris," he decided. "We'll see if we can gather a couple of decent rounds of chovgan out of the court."
By the time Akyran managed to track down his preferred players and I changed out of the blue dress, the horses were ready, and the pretty wrought iron tables, arranged on the terrace overlooking the lawns, set with lace cloths, crystal glasses, chilled wine and finger foods. The King Treyvin and Queen Leamoira sat in pride of place. We bowed to them as we claimed our sticks and mounts from our squires and pages.
"Remember, Ecaeris," Akyran threw me up onto my mount. "Watch the backswings. Some of them are careless."
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